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Web sites
Narration
Geographers use ideas and data from a wide variety of sources. In the past, field observations and the collection of data by individual research geographers were the primary means of gathering information for geographic analysis. Today, however, very few geographers do independent fieldwork. Geographers rely on major governmental efforts to gather relevant data. For example, data gathered by the United States Census Bureau is the most obvious source of demographic data in the United States. Geographers in most parts of the world rely on such compilations for the base of their analysis. Whenever possible, students in an AP Course should be encouraged to make personal field observations and conduct fieldwork. It is useful to have students think about the process of fieldwork as incorporating the process of description and hypothesis building.
Description can be divided into four parts. First is observation, or sensing the environment directly by one's own body or instruments such as barometers or thermometers. The second part is selection, during which the geographer determines which observations are significant to the character of the place. Third is measurement, in which the geographer attempts to measure, as best as possible, those elements deemed to be significant. The fourth part is classification and developing taxonomies for categorizing the measurements made of significant observations. Once the classification system has been made, it is possible to think about the relationships among elements. Data gathered by governmental observations, while serving the fundamental core of our understanding of the empirical world, must be, at the same time, regarded with caution. Students must be made aware of the great difficulty of gathering accurate data. Censuses, for example, are extremely expensive. Because of that, many countries are unable to take a regular census. In addition, governments that gather statistics do so for a reason. That reason may or may not match the interests of geographers. Furthermore, individuals and groups may be uncooperative with government efforts to gather statistics. More limitations on data relate to individuals' right for privacy. For example, in the agricultural census of the United States it is not possible to get information on individual farms no matter how large the size. Therefore, all the data is aggregated. When data is aggregated, the scale is changed, and its utility for certain kinds of questions is reduced. So, two general problems permeate all data sets. One is the limitation of the data in terms of timeliness. The second is the accuracy of the data that is a reflection of people's willingness to cooperate and provide information, and the need to protect people's privacy.
Web Sites
To view the following Web sites, please go to "See also" below.
The Teachers' Corner contains links to suggested Web sites. The College Board neither endorses, controls the content of, nor reviews the external Web sites included here. Please note that following links to external Web sites will open a new browser window. If you discover a link that does not work, please let us know by sending an e-mail to apctechsupport@collegeboard.org.
Altapedia Online
Atlapedia Online contains full color physical and political maps as well as key facts and statistics on countries of the world. All free.
Canadian Statistics
Part of the official Canadian government site, it has a lot of other great goodies!
Census (U.S.) Bureau Home Page
The U.S. Census Bureau's home page. All kinds of United States and World demographic information. This site includes the U.S. and World Population Clocks.
CIA World Fact Book
Data sorted by country and kept up-to-date.
Countries of the World
This site lists all of the countries of the world. Features about each country are listed, including its ruler, area, population, capital, religion, literacy rate, economy, government, history, map, flag, name, cities, languages, ethnicity/race, and geography.
Geo-Images
The Geo-Images Project attempts to make images (mostly photographs) that are useful in teaching geography more widely available using computers and the Internet. The images may be cultural or physical, and include virtual reality panoramas.
Great American Web Site
This is an excellent source of interactive maps, tables of data, and links to many agencies and collectors of geographical information. You have access to the main branches of government as well as a wealth of other information. Well worth a visit. Make sure you scroll down and examine the frames on the left side of the screen.
InfoNation
This wonderful site comes from the United Nations and is an easy-to-use, two-step database that allows you to view and compare the most up-to-date statistical data for the Member States of the United Nations. The user selects up to seven countries and may then select data sets from a menu to compare the seven.
Lonely Planet
This is the main page for information about nearly every country on earth. Use the pull-down menus or click on the interactive map.
Map Machine Atlas: National Geographic
Outstanding source of maps of all types.
Odden's Bookmarks
This is a search engine from one of the Odden pages that finds geography information. This is a wonderful site if you are looking for specialized maps, electronic encyclopedias on the Internet or other Internet Geography resources. Be sure to browse more of Odden's Bookmarks. Some banners are on the pages.
Population: Distribution, Density, and Growth
Extensive information about population distribution, in particular at the coastline. Downloadable essay. Very colorful page.
Population Index
Princeton University's Population Index is a compilation of many different subjects within Population studies. Historical trends, fertility, mortality and spatial dimensions of health. It contains useful links.
United Kingdom Statistics: Trends since 1900 (PDF)
This report is heavy on graphs and tables, and includes statistics on population, health, education, defense, crime, transport, energy, economy, and leisure.
World Bank Group -- Development Data: Maps
This site has GIS interactive maps (you can zoom in and out) showing the biodiversity of some places (limited) and other information. Some are free.
World Bank Country Data
Similar to, but better economic data than, the CIA World Fact Book.
World Resources Institute
Good country data with an emphasis on resources. Also contains population and income categories, and is nicely organized by region.
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